(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Kuala Lumpur-based Centre for Independent Journalism is concerned over the police visit to the office of the independent web-based daily, “Malaysiakini”, on 8 August 2006. The police claim “Malaysiakini” has defamed them by alleging police involvement in a pepper-spray attack on former premier Mahathir Mohamad. Four police officers, including one from the […]
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Kuala Lumpur-based Centre for Independent Journalism is concerned over the police visit to the office of the independent web-based daily, “Malaysiakini”, on 8 August 2006.
The police claim “Malaysiakini” has defamed them by alleging police involvement in a pepper-spray attack on former premier Mahathir Mohamad.
Four police officers, including one from the east coast state of Kelantan, showed up unannounced at the online daily’s office. They recorded a statement from Editor-in-chief Steven Gan for two hours.
Gan said he was surprised by the visit because in the past “Malaysiakini ” would be asked to go to the police station for any such investigation. He said the police officers acted professionally.
Two other editors and a reporter were asked to give their statements at the Kuala Lumpur Commercial Crime Unit headquarters the following day.
When contacted, Deputy Superintendent of Police Victor Sanjos from the Kuala Lumpur Commercial Crime Unit, who led the four-men team, said the visit to “Malaysiakini” was normal procedure.
The police lodged a report against “Malaysiakini” on 31 July over its newsflash on 28 July, which the police claimed was libelous. “Malaysiakini” admitted erring in the report and pulled it out an hour after it was uploaded. The online daily also offered to apologise to the police.
Malaysia criminalizes defamation, with those found guilty facing up to two years in jail. CIJ is concerned that the police visit to the “Malaysiakini” office is a form of harassment, despite police claims that this is normal procedure. As the police are respondents in this case, the investigation by police officers, including those from the district affected by the allegedly defamatory remarks, could compromise the online daily’s access to justice, as the police will have privileged access to the defendant’s arguments if the case is brought to court.
The situation is made graver in the light of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s threat on 2 August to detain those who spread “untruths and slander” on the Internet and short-text messages.
